Pau Cubarsi has revealed how he reacted in the final seconds of Spain’s 2026 World Cup final victory over Argentina, saying he “jumped at” Marcos Senesi and left the outcome to chance to preserve a 1-0 lead.
The Barcelona and Spain defender made the decisive intervention during extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, clearing the ball before Senesi could score and helping his country claim the world title.
Speaking to The Athletic, Cubarsi said he was relieved to see the ball stay out of the net but immediately knew Spain still had one dangerous attack to defend.
“The ball didn’t go in and I breathed a sigh of relief,” he said, as reported by Cadena SER. “The first thing I thought was: ‘Okay, there’s one attack left. I have to defend it before I become world champion.’”
Cubarsi recalled Lionel Messi carrying the ball near the edge of the penalty area before Senesi ran in behind Spain’s defence. He noticed a dangerous gap between himself and Mikel Merino and realised he had to act quickly.
“I knew I had to jump at him with all my strength and leave it to chance,” said the defender.
After making the clearance, Cubarsi fell to the ground exhausted. He kept his head down on the grass and did not look behind him until he was certain the ball had not crossed the line. Only then did he begin to understand the importance of the challenge.
The final whistle brought emotional celebrations with his team-mates, followed by another surprise when he was told he had been named the tournament’s best young player.
“I was stunned,” Cubarsi said. “I knew I had a chance because few young players reach a World Cup final, but my only aim was to give my best and help Spain win the title.”
Cubarsi also credited his family for supporting his rise and said he was proud to have improved his parents’ lives after years of sacrifice. His father no longer works for the family company, allowing him to attend matches and enjoy life with his son, while the business continues under the supervision of Cubarsi’s uncle and cousin.
“My contribution to their retirement, as their son, fills me with pride,” he said. “We can enjoy this life together because if I have reached where I am now, it is because of their sacrifices.”
Away from football, the 19-year-old said he enjoys following new cars, although his parents do not yet want him driving an expensive model.
“I love cars and look at new models from time to time,” he said. “But my parents do not like the idea of me driving a luxury car at only 19. They told me to wait a little, until I mature and gain more experience.”
Cubarsi named Barcelona legends Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique as his defensive inspirations. He admires Pique’s technical ability and role in building play, while valuing Puyol’s mentality and personality, saying he appreciates “both styles” and hopes to combine defensive strength with technical quality.
